From a tile to a hand
1. Sort by suit and number
Keep characters, dots and bamboo separate. Two tiles are identical only when both their suit and number match. Honors are separate tiles, not extra numbers.
2. Draw one, discard one
On an ordinary turn, draw from the wall and choose one tile to discard. Most games here use 13 tiles between turns and 14 after drawing; Taiwan uses 16 and 17. Calls, flowers and kongs can change this simple picture.
One turn, three decisions
- 01→
Draw
Take a tile from the wall.
- 02
Choose
Keep useful groups together.
- 03Chosen discard
Discard
Place one tile face up.
A cropped hand illustrates an ordinary draw-and-discard turn. Calls and replacement draws follow their own rules.
3. Make sets and keep a pair
A sequence is three consecutive numbers in the same suit, such as 2–3–4 dots. A triplet is three identical tiles. A pair is two identical tiles. A kong has four identical tiles and counts as one set, with a replacement draw.
Four building blocks
Sequence
Three consecutive numbers, one suit.
Triplet
Three identical tiles.
Kong
Four identical tiles; draw a replacement.
Pair
Two identical tiles.
A regular hand, explained
4 sets + 1 pair = 14 tiles
This illustrates the tile structure only. A complete shape must also satisfy the winning requirements of the chosen game. Kongs count as sets but contain four tiles.
4. Learn the calls for your table
You may be able to claim another player’s discard. Chow forms a sequence from the previous player’s discard; pung forms a triplet; kong forms a group of four. Sichuan does not allow chow. Check the rules before calling.
5. Check the win, not just the shape
A completed shape is only part of a legal win. Hong Kong needs three fan, MCR needs eight non-flower points, Riichi needs a yaku, and Sichuan requires you to clear your missing suit. Read your chosen guide before your first game.
Try three small decisions
Choose an answer to reveal its explanation. These exercises teach the basics; they do not play a game or spend coins.
1. Which group is a sequence?
2–3–4 dots
Yes. The numbers are consecutive and all three tiles belong to the same suit.
2–4–8 dots
These tiles share a suit, but their numbers are not consecutive.
2. Which group is a triplet?
5 bamboo, 5 dots, 5 characters
Matching numbers are not enough. These are three different tiles.
5 bamboo, 5 bamboo, 5 bamboo
Yes. All three tiles have the same number and suit.
3. Do four sets and a pair always win?
Yes, the shape is enough
Not always. A game may require a minimum score or a yaku; Taiwan normally needs five sets.
Check the chosen ruleset
Correct. Tile structure, special hands and winning requirements all belong to the ruleset.
Words you will hear
- Wall
- The stack of tiles players draw from.
- Discard
- A tile a player places face up for everyone to see.
- Chow / chi
- A called sequence of three consecutive tiles in one suit.
- Pung / pon
- A group of three identical tiles, often called from a discard.
- Kong / kan
- Four identical tiles treated as one set.
- Self-draw / tsumo
- Winning on a tile you draw yourself. “Tsumo” is the Japanese term.
Before your first online hand
- Read the winning requirement for one ruleset. You do not need to memorize all five.
- Sign in and choose a variant. Check the room tier’s rank and coin requirements and per-game fee; for private rooms, review the settings and diamond cost before confirming.
- Select Ready when seated. Select a tile before discarding, and review the result after the hand.
Sign in using an available account provider. Refreshing the lobby or table keeps you in the game while your web session is valid; reopening the game may require sign-in. The app and Telegram Mini App retain sign-in by default until you sign out or the session expires. Always sign out on shared devices.